Robotics & Human–Robot Interaction (HRI)
This project explores how humans and robots work together—designing safe, intuitive, and explainable interaction between people and embodied AI systems in labs, factories, hospitals, homes, and public spaces.
Project Overview
The Robotics & Human–Robot Interaction (HRI) initiative focuses on how people perceive, control, and collaborate with robots. Rather than robots working in isolation, the project emphasizes shared spaces, shared goals, and shared understanding between humans and machines.
Current focus tracks:
- Perception & interaction modelling so robots can interpret human actions, intent, and context.
- Shared autonomy & assistance where robots help rather than fully replace human decision-making.
- Interfaces & explainability using gestures, voice, displays, and cues that people can quickly understand.
Objectives
- Design robots that are safe, predictable, and transparent when working around people.
- Reduce friction in interactions so non-experts can use advanced robots with minimal training.
- Build reusable HRI modules that plug into different robot platforms and applications.
- Study trust, workload, and usability to ensure deployments are human-centred, not just technically impressive.
Tech Stack & Methods
The project brings together sensing, control, interaction design, and evaluation:
- Sensing: Cameras, depth sensors, microphones, touch/force sensors, and wearable inputs.
- Perception & intent: Pose and gesture recognition, gaze estimation, speech/NLU, activity and intent modelling.
- Control & planning: Motion planners for shared workspaces, compliant control, safety envelopes, and proxemics-aware navigation.
- Interaction: Multimodal interfaces (voice, tablet, AR, lights, sounds) and explanation modules that tell users what the robot is doing and why.
Real-world Applications
- Cobots that share benches or assembly lines with human workers in factories and labs.
- Assistive robots in healthcare, elder care, and rehabilitation with careful safety and empathy design.
- Educational and demonstration robots for classrooms, museums, and public spaces.
- Service robots in logistics, retail, and hospitality that can navigate crowds and interact politely.
Ethics, Safety & Inclusion
The project emphasises inclusive, ethical design: safety by design, clear limits on autonomy, respect for privacy, and ensuring systems are usable by people with different abilities and backgrounds.
Social Plugin